A Simple Answer for A Big Question
The woman was approaching me with a question on her mind. That was evident from the expression on her face. I could remember at least a dozen other times when someone had asked me the same question. If I were to summarize these conversations into one, it would go something like this:
Pastor Tim, a friend and I were talking one day this past week. We got to talking about church, and I mentioned that I attend a Moravian church. He asked me what a Moravian church was. I tried to answer as best as I could, but I don’t think I did a very good job. I’ve been a Moravian for most of my life. I think I know who we are, but I couldn’t put this into words very well. Is there something that could help me give a better explanation to my friend?
It’s hard to answer a question like that. There is so much to tell. When someone asks me about the Moravian Church, I could rattle on for several minutes, unaware of the glassy look that has come over the person’s eyes. Even I could use a little help in providing a concise answer to the question: What is a Moravian?
The Interprovincial Faith and Order Commission has worked on this at its semi-annual meetings for the past few years and has developed a brief document which we hope will help Moravians to answer this question. Members of the Faith and Order Commission are appointed by the PECs of the Northern and Southern Provinces here in North America. We bring a variety of perspectives to our discussions.
These differences are not just theological. Our approaches to this subject are also affected by the different regions where we live and worship and by our respective backgrounds. Some of us have a long relationship with the Moravian Church; others do not. Some attend large churches while others serve in small congregations. Some follow liturgical forms of worship more than others.
The question we have sought to answer is this: Given our differences — and the differences among Moravians and their congregations throughout our two provinces — what are the common traits we share, which make us Moravian? In simpler form, what is Moravian?
We found this subject to be a wonderful journey of exploration, but we also found it to be a journey with no ending. Dr. Daniel Crews expressed it well when he wrote: “Throughout most of its [existence, the Moravian Church] has continued to wrestle with questions of its own identity, purpose, and continuity.”1 Who were we as members of this Commission to think that we could bring this search to a conclusion?!
Brother Crews offered encouragement when he concludes: “if the Moravian Church ever quits questioning the nature of its identity, that is probably a sure sign that it has lost it.”2 So we continue exploring our identity in hopes of growing closer to the Savior.
In our latest effort toward understanding and expressing our Moravian identity, the Commission has developed a simple piece which we hope will help those who find themselves in discussions like the one I described. This piece is included at left. We hope that you will take a look at it and let us know if you think this would help you in your efforts to understand and to describe our church. We invite you to send your comments to me
As this statement on Moravian identity is read, many will immediately begin to ask: Where is the depth? What about our history? What about our traditions? What about our theology? Why not include these areas in some depth? These are all good questions. We don’t see our task as finished. However, we hope this simple guide will enable Moravians to feel capable in describing our Church while riding in a car with a friend, visiting a relative, or over lunch with a co-worker.
What you will read is not the final version of this document. Before it can be considered an approved statement for our Church, it must receive PEC approval. Your input can help us to reach that final step. We look forward to hearing from you.
