Saturday, April 11, 2015

How many Mennonites does it take to change a light bulb?

From a whimsical article "A funny thing happened on the way to the thrift store" from the 2015-Apr-10 MWR, on the lack of humor in the Mennonite Church, the last variation resonates with me on how we approach things in my congregation:

Q: How many Mennonites does it take to change a light bulb?
A: 27. One to change the light bulb and 25 for the potluck for afterwards (c. 1975).
A: 31. Ten for the committee to nominate the changer; 10 for the committee to arrange for disposal of the old lightbulb; 10 for the committee to purchase the new light bulb; one to change it upon being discerned for the task by the congregation (c. 1985).
A: It takes the consensus of the congregation, or, failing that, a two-third majority vote (c. 1995).
A: Change? (c. 2005)
A: That depends. Our congregation is not currently of one mind on the need to change the light bulb. Although the majority wishes it changed, a sizable minority is in loving disagreement. We are, therefore, entering into a yearlong season of discernment during which we will prayerfully study the scriptures to seek guidance in our decision-making process. We will also be in dialogue with our area conference at this time to assure that any light bulb switching does not threaten the unity of our denomination. If we discern that the congregation’s will is, indeed, to switch the light bulb, we will then establish a task force to implement the bulb-changing directive. So, yeah, we’ll get back you. (c. 2015)

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