Healing Memories, Reconciling in Christ: A Lutheran-Mennonite Study Guide for Congregations

On July 22, 2010, The Lutheran World Federation assembly in Stuttgart, Germany, took the historic step of asking the Anabaptist-Mennonites for forgiveness for past persecutions. Delegates unanimously approved a statement calling Lutherans to express their regret and sorrow for past wrongdoings towards Anabaptists and asking for forgiveness.

In light of this historic action, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada asked Mennonite Church Canada to cooperate in preparing this study guide for congregations, based on the report of the Lutheran- Mennonite Study Commission (2010). While prepared in Canada, the guide is suitable for use by congregations in the wider church as well.

This study guide outlines both churches’ beginnings in the turmoil of Reformation Europe as a context for examining offending statements against Anabaptists in the Augsburg Confession of 1530. Participants will look at how events and differing understandings of the Bible shaped the Lutheran and Anabaptist confessions of faith and their attitudes toward other Christians. This guide also explores the meaning of forgiveness and what significance it might have for both churches in the present time.