The Anabaptist Network comprises people from all over Britain and from a wide range of church backgrounds. Some are simply names on a mailing list, interested in keeping in touch and knowing about activities of the Network. Others are much more fully involved in exploring the implications of Anabaptism for discipleship, mission and church life in contemporary culture.
Although the Network includes some Mennonites and members of a Hutterian bruderhof, it is comprised mainly of Christians from traditions that do not have direct historical links with Anabaptism. Anabaptist values and perspectives have begun to impact Christians from Catholic, Anglican, Quaker, Methodist, Baptist, United Reformed, Pentecostal, House Church and other backgrounds.
The Anabaptist Network has made visible this growing interest in Anabaptism and has encouraged further exploration. It has been a rallying point and an opportunity for dialogue. New members joining the Network have frequently expressed a sense of “coming home” to a tradition that embodies their own convictions and provides a framework that integrates these. Some have also been relieved to find that they are not the only ones attracted to the Anabaptist tradition and concerned about the issues it raises. And many have been pleased to discover that we are a Network, not an institution, an informal coalition rather than a movement, and relational rather than denominational.
To read more about some Anabaptist Network members, see Coming Home: Stories of Anabaptists in Britain and Ireland
The Network has organised various conferences over the years.
In May 1993, we met in Manchester to reflect on the demise of Christendom in Europe and the implications for the church and its mission.
In October 1993, we met in an Anglican theological college in Nottingham to learn from the early church and its pre-Christendom witness.
March 1994 found us at Bristol Baptist College, asking questions about Anabaptism and local church practice. Then in May 1994, we held our first residential conference at the Hutterian Bruderhof in East Sussex.
Further conferences took place in Leeds in September 1995 on the theme “Roots for Renewal” and at the Wildfire Community in Worcestershire in April 1996 on “The Joy and Struggle of Creating Community.”
We returned to Bristol in May 1997 to explore the role of stories in building community and met in the West Midlands in November 1998 to consider the implications of becoming a Peace Church.
We held a different kind of conference in London in January 1998, to which we invited groups of leaders from about twenty churches who were wanting to explore the relevance of Anabaptism for their own congregations. A second conference of this kind was held in March 1999.
Our largest conferences to date were three events co-sponsored with the Northumbria Community, held in Oxford in April 2000, and in Bradford and Oxford in June 2001, exploring the Celtic and Anabaptist traditions. These were entitled “There’s Life in the Roots” and “Voices from the Margins”.
In 2002 we held four conferences. In March almost 100 people met in Amersham (Bucks) to explore the question 'Who were the English Radicals?' In June a fully subscribed residential conference considered what might be involved in 'Re-imagining the Church'. In November we held two events in a single week: a conference jointly sponsored with the Baptist Union explored 'Mission in Post-Christendom' and a conference jointly sponsored with Men, Women and God and the London Mennonite Centre looked at the subject 'Men, Women and God's Word'.
In 2003 we took a break from organising conferences to concentrate on developing the Network in other ways. However, the Yorkshire study group organised an event in Barnsley in September called 'Exodus', exploring the issues involved in people leaving churches. We hope to run this event again elsewhere in the future.
In March 2004 we held a conference in Northampton on Anabaptists and Politics, entitled 'A Subversive Manifesto'. In May 2005 we held another residential conference on the subject of Christian lifestyle, entitled 'How then shall we live?' and exploring Anabaptist insights into discipleship.
In October 2005 we were invited to hold a conference in York. Jonathan Blakeborough reported after this event: 'At the request of York St John College, a college of Leeds University, the Anabaptist Network and Christian Peacemaker Teams held a day conference in York on Saturday 15th October entitled Workers For Peace: Anabaptist Perspectives on Being Church and Making Peace. The conference was chaired by Pauline Kollontai, a senior lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at York St John, who is Jewish and previously an academic at the Peace Studies Department of Bradford University. Following a dramatic reading of the trial of Michael Sattler, Stuart Murray Williams, chair of AN, gave a keynote speech which introduced historic Anabaptism to an audience who largely had very little previous knowledge of the tradition. Tim Nafziger, CPT reservist, then gave a slideshow presentation of his experiences as a CPTer in Colombia earlier this year. Finally Pauline Kollontai chaired a question and answer session in which questions tended to focus on Anabaptist attitudes to peacemaking. Discussion was a times heated, including contributions from both a former WW2 veteran and a conscientious objector. With its interfaith dimension in an academic setting, this was a thought-provoking event.'
In January 2006 at the invitation of the East Midlands Baptist Association and in partnership with Urban Expression, we held a conference in Melton Mowbray on the subject Creating Church on the Margins[/i}. Juliet Kilpin and Stuart Murray Williams were the speakers.
In July 2006 we held a conference in Birmingham to launch Jonathan Bartley's book in the 'After Christendom' series. The conference title was the same as the book's: [i]Faith and Politics after Christendom. Speaking alongside Jonathan were Andrew Bradstock and Simon Barrow.
In November 2006 we held a jointly sponsored conference at Cliff College in Derbyshire to explore the Anabaptist and Methodist traditions. The theme was Radical Discipleship and the keynote speaker was Martyn Atkins.
In May 2007 we held another residential conference at Barnes Close, near Birmingham. A fully-booked event enjoyed time together and an opportunity to reflect with guest speakers Alan and Eleanor Kreider on the theme of their forthcoming book, Worship and Mission after Christendom.
In May 2008 we held our largest conference yet. Co-sponsored with the Northumbria Community, New Habits for a New Era? explored the theme of 'new monasticism' and drew together an ethusiastic gathering from very diverse backgrounds for a day together in Coventry.
Papers from this event, and a summary of the day written by an enthusiastic participant, can be downloaded below.
A major challenge facing the Network is to discern how the Anabaptist tradition can be embodied in the UK so that it becomes a genuinely indigenous movement. How can we convey the essence of this tradition in ways that make sense to local congregations and energise Christians attempting to be faithful disciples in their daily lives?
Thus far, we have not tried to plant Anabaptist churches. We have been concerned to work for church renewal rather than developing a new institution. But we have offered resources to congregations wanting to explore the relevance of Anabaptism, we have invited representatives of these churches to conferences, and we have encouraged them to develop friendships with other congregations interested in Anabaptism. We have even toyed with the term “hyphenated-Anabaptist” to describe churches that retain their denominational allegiance but acknowledge the value of Anabaptist perspectives and welcome links with other such churches.
But should we develop Anabaptist churches? Although we have no interest in denominational proliferation, close to the heart of Anabaptism is a vision of church life that enables people to learn to follow Jesus together. Unless we can point to congregational or communal expressions of the values we embrace, can we promote these with integrity? In many places new ways of being church are emerging as alternatives for those disillusioned with inherited models of church, or as creative responses to a changing culture. Some of these are already drawing on Anabaptist insights. So perhaps the Network can continue to serve existing churches from various traditions, while at the same time offering resources to or sponsoring new churches.
At the start of 2004 a number of churches expressed interest in 'affiliating' to the Anabaptist Network or in some way building or strengthening links. We are not yet sure what this might mean, but we are open to exploring possibilities - as long as this does not become institutional or denominational.
We are not interested in Anabaptism as an end in itself, but as a lens through which to rediscover Jesus and his call to discipleship. Nor do we regard Anabaptism as a flawless tradition, or as complete in itself, but as a significant movement within European (and now global) church history, whose voice has been silent for too long. We believe the Anabaptist tradition offers crucial insights for churches now operating from the margins and facing the challenges and opportunities of witness in a post-Christendom culture. We believe it calls Christians back to the forgotten centrality of Jesus, and on to a more radical missionary engagement with contemporary society.
Participants in conferences and study groups, subscribers to Anabaptism Today and others involved in Network activities are drawn to Anabaptism for various reasons. Some are interested mainly in one aspect of the tradition (discipleship, community, peace, etc.). Others are intrigued by sixteenth-century Anabaptist history and want to know more about this movement. Many are searching for ways to renew their own churches and traditions. Some have “come home” to Anabaptism and now identify themselves primarily with this tradition.
Consequently, we have developed some [url=coreconvictions]core convictions[/url] but no “statement of faith” or set organisational procedures. The Anabaptist tradition has generally been wary of creeds and has encouraged ongoing dialogue rather than fixed positions. The Network has developed over the past decade through conversations over meals, discussions among friends old and new, sharing ideas and experiences. It operates not as a “bounded set” (where concern to define insiders and outsiders requires careful definition and maintenance of boundaries), but as a “centred set” (a more dynamic model, where relationships rather than rules define belonging, and where the focus is on living by and communicating core convictions).
Despite the informal nature of the Network, we recognise that every movement in which people care passionately about things encounters conflict. We choose to name this so that we are not taken by surprise when tensions develop. Convinced that peace is at the heart of the gospel, we are committed to dealing with the conflicts that inevitably will arise by seeking God’s way through them, not fearing conflict but facing it, recognising that conflict well handled can bond a group together.
The Network depends almost entirely on volunteers. It is guided by an informal steering group, comprising individuals from different traditions (presently Anglican, URC, Baptist, House Church and Mennonite) who meet three times a year to co-ordinate Network activities. Four of these also function as trustees of the Anabaptist Network Trust (registered charity number 1021760). Anabaptism Today, during the years when it was published, had an editor, an editorial board and a book reviews editor. The theological circle and study groups have convenors, and the study groups also have a co-ordinator.
We have important links of various kinds with a number of other organisations. These include Workshop, a national leadership and discipleship training programme, Urban Expression, a church planting initiative in East London, Ekklesia, a theological think-tank on politics, SPEAK, a peace and justice campaigning organisation and Christian Peacemaker Teams, an international peacemaking group with a regional group in the UK.
We are developing relationships also with Anabaptist movements in other nations. The growing interest in Anabaptism in the UK is mirrored in other countries, many of which have as limited historic connections with this tradition as the UK has. It seems that in a post-Christendom world the Anabaptist tradition has significance in many societies, and we are eager to explore and strengthen these global connections.
We especially value our relationships and interaction with North American, European and British Mennonites (including the Mennonite Mission Network, the London Mennonite Centre and the Wood Green Mennonite Church). These links tie us to historical roots and provide a measure of accountability, without which it would be possible to make the term “Anabaptist” mean whatever anyone wanted it to mean.
In 2003 representatives of a number of organisations with Anabaptist values (some explicit, others implicit) met together to explore ways of working more closely together. There were already strong friendship links between us and several overlaps of personnel and activity. But we felt that a greater degree of synergy might be possible.
The result of this conversation was the development of 'Root and Branch' - a 'network of networks' rather than a separate organisation. Since then we have continued to meet together two or three times a year to build stronger links and plan joint activities. Other groups have also become involved. We met most recently on 3 December, 2004 at the London Mennonite Centre.
Organisations currently involved in 'Root and Branch' are:
The Anabaptist Network
Urban Expression
Anvil Trust - Workshop/Advanced Workshop
London Mennonite Centre
Bridge Builders
Metanoia Book Service
Wood Green Mennonite Church
Ekklesia
SPEAK
Christian Peacemaker Teams
Peace School
Peace Church
Christian International Peace Service
These organisations contribute to a monthly email sent free of charge to subscribers. This carries news and articles relating to the concerns and activities of each organisation.
You can subscribe to the 'Root and Branch' email on this website - see the section on the side bar.
For further information, or if you represent an organisation that might also be interested in participating in 'Root and Branch', please use our contact form.
The monthly email bulletin called "Root and Branch" shares news and articles from a network of Christian organizations in Britain and Ireland committed to shared radical values and vision.
The email bulletin is sent out each month with details of coming events from members of Root and Branch, including the Anabaptist Network.
The Root and Branch bulletins also contains articles of interest that explore issues from an Anabaptist perpective, and include opportunities to get involved in Anabaptist-related activities with the London Mennonite Centre, the campaign group Speak, Workshop, the church planting agency Urban Expression and the theological think tank Ekklesia amongst others.
If you'd like to get an idea of what it looks like, see our sample issue from August 2004.
Representatives from the various organizations in the Root and Branch network meet three times a year to discuss ways they can better work together.
The Network sponsors study groups in various parts of the country, which offer opportunities every couple of months for members of the Network to meet together informally and locally to explore Anabaptist themes and their contemporary significance. Some groups have met for two or three years before disbanding, feeling that they have achieved their aims; others have continued to meet over several years. Each has developed its own identity and flavour.
You can find study groups in your area in the Anabaptist Network study groups listing.
The Anabaptist Network's theology forum takes place twice a year - an opportunity to explore topics of mutual interest, to investigate aspects of Anabaptist history and theology and to read and discuss papers. We meet for 24 hours, usually at Offa House, near Leamington Spa.
Currently there are about 40 people to whom we send information about these events and invitations to participate and generally somewhere between 12 and 25 people attend each forum. No theological qualifications are required, but the conversations require at least some familiarity with theological language and concepts.
If you are interested in receiving information and an invitation to a future forum, please contact the forum convenor.
At the June 2005 forum we explored three unrelated subjects. Sue Sainsbury presented a session on Menno Simons and his understanding of suffering (based on her PhD thesis). Ruth Gouldbourne led an interactive session on the implications of being personally committed to or inspired by Anabaptist values but belonging to a church that had little interest in these. And Veronica Zundel stimulated our thinking as she suggested nine examples of unbiblical ways of thinking within Evangelicalism.
Graham Old from Northampton has written a brief report of this (his first) forum:
On Thursday June 9th, the Anabaptist theology forum met for 24 hours of dialogue, learning, worship and fellowship. For some present, myself included, the forum represented something of a breath of fresh air – an Anabaptist oasis! Here are some highlights:
Sue Sainsbury, soon-to-be lecturer in Christian Doctrine at Mattersey Hall, led us in a session on Menno Simons and his approach to suffering. This was a stimulating and fascinating time! Sue began by encouraging us to be aware of how historians have often been guilty of re-writing Anabaptist history – and Anabaptist themselves are far from innocent on this count (i.e. it’s not only those who still describe Anabaptism in the light of Munster!).
We then examined Menno’s own account of his ‘Enlightenment, Conversion and Calling,’ which struck me as peculiarly Pauline – whether Menno intentionally wrote it that way or not. At times, Menno almost appears to veer into self-righteousness as he explains how he has suffered for the gospel – sleeping in ditches and jumping at the sounds of dogs barking – whilst the ‘preachers lie on comfortable beds and cushions.’ Again, some might say this is reminiscent of Paul the apostle. Yet, the following quote, taken from The Cross of the Saints, gets to the heart of Menno’s teaching on Christian suffering:
When we consider, worthy brethren, our very weak and sinful nature, how that we are prone to evil from our youth, how that in our flesh no good thing dwelleth, and how we drink unrighteousness and sin like water… and when we consider how that we have a tendency at all times (although we do seek and fear God) to mind earthly and perishable things, then we see that the gracious God and Father, who through his eternal love always cares for His children, has left behind in His house an excellent remedy against all this, namely, the pressing cross of Christ.
Essentially, Menno is expounding the thought found in Scripture that it is precisely because we are beloved children of God that he disciplines us. Discussion then followed on whether such an emphasis might be unhelpful, particularly for a people committed to peace. Do we really want to produce passivity in victims of violence by encouraging them to embrace it joyfully? It’s an important question and one that I feel we need to discuss much further, but I note that it is as much a question for the biblical authors as it is for Menno Simons.
Sue then left us with two questions to consider further: What if ‘perfect peace and prosperity’ really is the ultimate killer in God’s economy? What if suffering (for Christ) really is the blessing of God to keep us from true death?
On Thursday evening, Ruth Gouldbourne (Tutor in Church History at Bristol Baptist College and a Baptist minister) and Chris Burch convened the first meeting of Anabaptists Anonymous! For many, an interest in all things Anabaptist is not the kind of thing that can be talked about too often or too openly – hence the forum being something of an oasis. Christ Burch, former Canon Precentor of Coventry Cathedral and now working in an Urban Priority Area, knows how that feels. Chris feels the tension of working within the establishment, whilst sharing the values of those at the margins. Ruth invited us to address Chris about these tensions and a lively discussion followed (surprisingly and probably thankfully, infant baptism only came up in passing!)
This was an important discussion as we looked at the dissolution of Christendom from a number of angles and questioned how we might best respond. Do we recognise the errors of the past, but still gladly embrace the remaining opportunities that it presents? Or do we employ a hermeneutic of justice and refuse to accept the position of privilege? My own response is very different to Chris’, but I guess it helps to have people on the inside!
Finally, Veronica Zundel (from Wood Green Mennonite Church) led us in an exploration of ‘Unbiblical Evangelicalism’ (or, as one participant described it, '9 Evangelical heresies'!). Essentially, we were looking at the question, How does (popular contemporary) Evangelicalism differ from Scripture – and how can we as Anabaptists learn from that? One point that repeatedly occurred was the individualistic and ‘other-worldly’ nature of much popular evangelicalism (though it was suggested by a number present that this is changing). In contrast, Scripture – and Anabaptism – emphasises the importance of building Kingdom communities.
For a number of people present Veronica managed to capture the journey that we had been taking in recent years. Speaking as someone who might be considered part of the emerging church, it was fascinating to hear Veronica sharing ideas that are sometimes presented as a recent re-discovery or even a post-modern innovation! One statement particularly struck me – and fed into later discussions on the relationship between Eastern Orthodoxy and Anabaptism: As salvation is a process (rather than a single crisis event) then we ‘cannot separate the means of sanctification from the means of salvation.’ Again, this is discussion that needs to continue!
Other events included the sharing of news, prayer, book reviews, planning of future forums, discussion of potential books in the After Christendom series and web-site recommendations. Yet, at the end of the day, nothing could beat the refreshing sense of fellowship that came from knowing that, regardless of how we might differ theologically on many other issues, this one thing we shared: a living passion for the tradition of Jesus-centred discipleship. That, for me, is what Anabaptism is all about.
At the December 2005 forum the three main sessions were led by Philip Meadows, Christopher Rowland and Stuart Murray Williams. The overall theme was 'Christian Perfectionism'. Some of the papers from this forum are available in the Articles section of this website.
There was no forum in June 2006 to make room for participants to attend the Mennonite theological forum organised by Vic Thiessen in London.
The December 2006 forum explored environmental and medical ethical issues with contributions from Michael Northcott (paper, not in person), Jo Rathbone, Chris Walton and Alun Morinan.
The December 2007 forum discussed papers on 'Knowing and Following' by Brian Haymes, 'What has God to do with Religious Freedom?' by Ruth Gouldbourne and 'Creating Community: Marianne Farningham and her girls’ class, 1857-1901' by Linda Wilson.
The next forum is scheduled for 29-30 October 2008, when Lloyd Pietersen will be presenting material from his forthcoming book, Reading the Bible after Christendom.
If you'd like to ask us a question, join our mailing list or request a complimentary issue of Anabaptism Today you can use our contact form or email us at admin@anabaptistnetwork.com or you can reach us at 14 Shepherds Hill, Highgate, London N6 5AQ (0845 450 0214)
Jonathan Blakeborough, Trisha Dale, Tim Foley, Andrew Francis, Karen Stallard, Noel Moules*, Stuart Murray Williams*, David Nussbaum*, Ali Phelps, Lloyd Pietersen*, Vic Thiessen, Jo Rathbone (* denotes trustee)
Study groups meet in various parts of the UK. If you want to join a group or try one out, ask for dates and venues.
Co-ordinator: Tim Foley
E-mail: groups@anabaptistnetwork.com
Conveners:
Bristol: Stuart Murray Williams
24 Effingham Road, Bristol BS6 5BJ
0117 330 7826
stuart@murraywilliams.co.uk
Oxford: Trisha Dale
4 Mistletoe Green, Oxford OX4 7FY
01865 773403
tdale@netcomuk.co.uk
North London: Vic Thiessen
14 Shepherds Hill, London N6 5AQ
020 8340 8775
victhiessen@menno.org.uk
South London: Alun Morinan
37 Piquet Road, London SE20 7XY
020 8778 7018
a.morinan@uel.ac.uk
West Midlands: Bill Miller
The Manse, Tantany Lane, West Bromwich B71 1DS
01215533449
billmiller67@bigfoot.com
York/Hull: Jonathan Blakeborough
20 Arundel Grove, Woodthorpe, York YO24 2RZ
01904 703710
blakeboroughjdr@hotmail.com
Leeds/Bradford: David Warrington
10 Sunny Bank Villas, Glusburn, near Keighley BD20 8PT
01535 637012
david.warrington@tiscali.co.uk
Edinburgh: Jim Purves
Bristo Baptist Church, Buckingham Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3DJ
0131 332 3682
Portadown: Tim Foley
2 Market Lane, Portadown, Craigavon, Co. Armagh BT63 3JY
07966 391729
timf@clara.co.uk
Leyland: Joan & Barry Williamson
74 Albert Road, Leyland PR25 4YJ
01772 455158
postmaster@joanbaz.demon.co.uk
Cheshire: Brian Haymes
1 Colville Grove, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 6NA
0161 374 0813
brian.haymes@ntlworld.com
Lockerbie: David & Mary Kirkman
1 Kettleholm Cottage, Kettleholm, Lockerbie DG11 1BU
kirkmans3@hotmail.com
East London: Karen Stallard
20 Garnet Street, London E1W 3QT
020 7265 1727
karenstallard@boltblue.com
We are also aware of interest in starting groups in Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin. Please let us know if you are interested in joining one of these or starting a group elsewhere.
Bridge Builders:
14 Shepherds Hill, Highgate, London N6 5AQ (0845 450 0214)
bridgebuilders@menno.org.uk
http://www.menno.org.uk/BB/
Christian Peacemaker Teams UK:
14 Shepherds Hill, London N6 5AQ (0845 450 0214)
cptuk@cptuk.org.uk
http://www.cptuk.org.uk
Christian International Peace Service
35 Melton Rd, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7DA
+44 (0)121 444 0346)
info@chipspeace.org
http://www.chipspeace.org
Ekklesia:
21 Tooting Bec Gardens, London SW16 1QY
020 8769 8163
info@ekklesia.co.uk
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk
London Mennonite Centre:
14 Shepherds Hill, Highgate, London N6 5AQ
020 8340 8775
lmc@menno.org.uk
http://www.menno.org.uk
Metanoia Book Service:
14 Shepherds Hill, Highgate, London N6 5AQ
0845 450 0214
metanoia@menno.org.uk
http://www.menno.org.uk/metanoia/
Peace Church:
+44 (0)121 443 3277
info@peacechurch.org.uk
Peace School:
4 Park Avenue, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 7TE
+44 (0)113 257 4572
info@peaceschool.org.uk
http://www.peaceschool.org.uk
SPEAK:
The Crypt - St Peter's Church, Northchurch Terrace, London, N1 4DA
020 7249 4309
speak@speak.org.uk
http://www.speak.org.uk
Urban Expression: PO Box 35238, London E1 4YA (01865 250914)
enquiries@urbanexpression.org.uk
http://www.urbanexpression.org.uk
Woodgreen Mennonite Church:
+44 (0)20 8808 9042
suehaines@tesco.net
http://www.menno.org.uk/wgmc
Workshop:
104 Townend Lane, Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2TS
0114 288 8816
office@anvil.org.uk
http://www.anvil.org.uk
Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand:
doug.sewell@tpg.com.au
hhttp://aaanz.mennonite.net/
The AAANZ is a network and resource for keeping in touch with the Anabaptist movement in Australia and New Zealand. A newsletter called ON THE ROAD is produced quarterly and is distributed mostly on-line. Regional support groups are forming and a national conference is planned to be held every eighteen months. Two pastoral workers carry out the goals of the asssociation under the direction of an executive committee that meets in a phone conference monthly, covering the six times zones from Auckland, New Zealand to Perth, Australia.
Third Way Cafe:
http://www.thirdway.com
An Anabaptist internet magazine based in the USA
If your question is not listed here, feel free to e-mail admin@anabaptistnetwork.com
The Network has no formal membership, nor does it cost anything to join (although as a voluntary organisation we welcome donations to help cover costs). You can join the Network by contacting us by letter, phone, fax or E-mail:
ANABAPTIST NETWORK
14 Shepherds Hill
London, N6 5AQ
Tel: 020 8340 8775
FAX: 020 8341 6807
Email: admin@anabaptistnetwork.com
As a member of the Network, you will receive regular newsletters and information about events, publications and activities that may be of interest to you.
'You can receive a complimentary copy of the journal Anabaptism Today by contacting the distribution address or ticking the box on the response form. This journal was published three times a year between 1992 and 2004 - 37 copies in total. Copies of all issues and an index of subjects are available and can be purchased from the same address.'
For some of our members, busy with local church commitments and involved in many other organisations, this is enough. And we have no desire to multiply meetings or to build an institution that places demands on people. We are concerned primarily to be a resource network.
For those who want to become more actively involved, there are several ways of doing this:
• You can join a local study group if there is one in your area. If you tick the box on the response form, the nearest group convenor will contact you. Or you can contact the convenor yourself using the details on the Contacts Page.
• If there is no local group, you might start one!
• You can (if you have appropriate qualifications) undertake serious study of Anabaptism by signing up for the Open Learning module on 'Anabaptism and Mission' offered by Spurgeon's College or enrolling in their MTh course in 'Radical Free Church Movements'.
• You can find out more about some of the organisations we have links with by contacting them directly: Urban Expression (urban church planting), Workshop (discipleship training course), Ekklesia (theology think-tank), London Mennonite Centre (resource centre, mediation, etc.), SPEAK (campaigning for justice). Or you can sign up for the regular Root and Branch emails that carry news from these organisations.
• You can offer occasional or regular financial support to the Network. Please contact us for further information.
For more information about any of these options or for any other enquiries, please use our contact form.